Instructing Children to Perform the Prayer

Sabrah bin Ma’bad Al-Juhani (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Teach a boy Salat (the prayer) when he attains the age of seven years, and punish him (if he does not offer it) at ten.”

[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]

The narration in Abu Dawud is: The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Order a boy to perform Salat (the prayer) when he is seven years old.”

Commentary:

Obviously only such teachers and parents can persuade the children to perform Salat who are themselves very strict about it. In the early period of Islam, one could not even think of a Muslim who ignored it. It is very unfortunate indeed that in the present-day Muslim societies, a large majority of Muslims are careless about this fundamental religious duty. In such a state of affairs who would instruct and persuade them to perform this religious obligation of the first order?